Can someone explain?

[Detour66]

Can someone explain to me in laymen terms why the reduction in bag limits for Fluke... Sea Bass...Winter Flounder and Weakfish. Are they saying that the amount of fish are declining and if so what proof do they have? Haven't we been restricted for years now on what we can catch? You would think that by now there would be some positive results? And when do they think the stocks will finally rebound and things will get back to normal again. Thanks in advance!

[PaBeerGuy]

the proverbial $1,000,000 question.

[dales529]

Can someone explain to me in laymen terms why the reduction in bag limits for Fluke... Sea Bass...Winter Flounder and Weakfish. Are they saying that the amount of fish are declining and if so what proof do they have? Haven't we been restricted for years now on what we can catch? You would think that by now there would be some positive results? And when do they think the stocks will finally rebound and things will get back to normal again. Thanks in advance!

In my opinion its these factors:
1) The overall harvest (actual catch) and Stock Assessment for biomass vs reproduction capability data methodology is flawed and outdated but "the best science available"
So start with questionable data and add an arbitrary mortality rate to each species
2) # 1 above leads to settings of quotas for each state / region which are too low but based on the faulty data. When the quotas that are too low to begin with are surpassed then # 3 kicks in
3) Current Magnuson Stevens Act dictates that based on #1 and 2 above that regulations / reductions in most cases are mandatory to sustain the fish stocks with zero flexibility for mitigating factors or "other" science .

Now this is not always the case with ALL species as some warrant reductions but again in my opinion it is the reasons for constant Fluke and Seabass reductions when stocks are rebuilt.

Quotas are NOT being raised as the Fish Stocks improve and MSA needs to be reformed both of which are at the federal level and not so easy to get the attention they deserve.

[PaBeerGuy]

In my opinion its these factors:
1) The overall harvest (actual catch) and Stock Assessment for biomass vs reproduction capability data methodology is flawed and outdated but "the best science available"
So start with questionable data and add an arbitrary mortality rate to each species
2) # 1 above leads to settings of quotas for each state / region which are too low but based on the faulty data. When the quotas that are too low to begin with are surpassed then # 3 kicks in
3) Current Magnuson Stevens Act dictates that based on #1 and 2 above that regulations / reductions in most cases are mandatory to sustain the fish stocks with zero flexibility for mitigating factors or "other" science .

Now this is not always the case with ALL species as some warrant reductions but again in my opinion it is the reasons for constant Fluke and Seabass reductions when stocks are rebuilt.

Quotas are NOT being raised as the Fish Stocks improve and MSA needs to be reformed both of which are at the federal level and not so easy to get the attention they deserve.
what he said.:)

[Detour66]

In my opinion its these factors:
1) The overall harvest (actual catch) and Stock Assessment for biomass vs reproduction capability data methodology is flawed and outdated but "the best science available"
So start with questionable data and add an arbitrary mortality rate to each species
2) # 1 above leads to settings of quotas for each state / region which are too low but based on the faulty data. When the quotas that are too low to begin with are surpassed then # 3 kicks in
3) Current Magnuson Stevens Act dictates that based on #1 and 2 above that regulations / reductions in most cases are mandatory to sustain the fish stocks with zero flexibility for mitigating factors or "other" science .

Now this is not always the case with ALL species as some warrant reductions but again in my opinion it is the reasons for constant Fluke and Seabass reductions when stocks are rebuilt.

Quotas are NOT being raised as the Fish Stocks improve and MSA needs to be reformed both of which are at the federal level and not so easy to get the attention they deserve.
This is all good but to be honest I was looking for a simple uncomplicated answer aka "in laymen's term" like "yeah fish stocks are up but they are still reducing the bag limits"! Thank you for you response!

[dales529]

This is all good but to be honest I was looking for a simple uncomplicated answer aka "in laymen's term" like "yeah fish stocks are up but they are still reducing the bag limits"! Thank you for you response!


To be honest that was laymens terms lol.
When stocks are rebuilt they don't raise the quotas accordingly so we get screwed.
Is that better

[frugalfisherman]

It's because instead of getting militant NJ fishermen are writing letters and taking surveys.

[Down Deep Sportfishing]

Can someone explain to me

Simple question, simple answer . . .

Our pockets aren't deep enough

[AndyS]

Commercial fishermen catch fish, sell fish, pay taxes on sold fish.
You catch fish, dodge paying taxes, no fish for you.

[Detour66]

To be honest that was laymens terms lol.
When stocks are rebuilt they don't raise the quotas accordingly so we get screwed.
Is that better

So fish stocks are up but "no fish for you!" ...damn that su% !! Thanks!

[Detour66]

Simple question, simple answer . . .

Our pockets aren't deep enough
Capt Mario I hear what you are saying but a lot of money is being spent on all things fishing related but apparently we are not greasing the right palms! This is what the Rec's need to do and focus on just like the NRA does. That's when the tides will change in our favor!

[Treebeard63]

Capt Mario I hear what you are saying but a lot of money is being spent on all things fishing related but apparently we are not greasing the right palms! This is what the Rec's need to do and focus on just like the NRA does. That's when the tides will change in our favor!

I've long been of the opinion that one of the biggest challenges anglers face in the fight for fair legislation is the lack of a truly unified lobby group such as shooters have in the NRA... I had hoped the RFA would emerge as that body, but it seems to me that angler $$ is still being spread thin by all the various other "splinter" groups... just off the top of my head, we have the RFA, JCFAA, CCA, SSFFF, ASA, etc., etc,... albiet they are all well intentioned, yet they also have slightly differing agendas.. and imo the diffusion of dollars to all the various groups limits any one's ability to apply meaningful pressure, or display enough voter numbers to give a politician pause... And as much as I applaud and appreciate the efforts of those on the front line of this fight, I fear that the results of the recent fluke battle, which many view as a dismal failure, will do nothing to help increase donations or group participation.. I hope I'm wrong.. but I've seen lots of "whats the point" sentiment online recently..

[baetis]

The reduction in sea bass is because:

"The 2017 benchmark stock assessment found black sea bass not overfished nor experiencing overfishing. With improved recruitment and declining fishing mortality rates since 2007, spawning stock biomass (SSB) has steadily increased. SSB in 2015 was estimated at 48.9 million pounds, 2.3 times the SSB target of 21.3 million pounds, and fishing mortality (F) was estimated at 0.27, well below the F target of 0.36. "

Understand?
NOT overfished + IMPROVED recruitment + DECLINING mortality = recreational fisherman getting bent over and told to hold their ankles.

[bunker dunker]

thank you,for a moment there i thought all was lost!!!!

[Detour66]

The reduction in sea bass is because:

"The 2017 benchmark stock assessment found black sea bass not overfished nor experiencing overfishing. With improved recruitment and declining fishing mortality rates since 2007, spawning stock biomass (SSB) has steadily increased. SSB in 2015 was estimated at 48.9 million pounds, 2.3 times the SSB target of 21.3 million pounds, and fishing mortality (F) was estimated at 0.27, well below the F target of 0.36. "

Understand?
NOT overfished + IMPROVED recruitment + DECLINING mortality = recreational fisherman getting bent over and told to hold their ankles.

So there are plenty of fish out there but they put laws into place so we cannot catch them. Isn't it our natural right to be able to use the land and sea to be able to feed ourselves? Something is truly wrong with this picture.